BLACKBERRIES

Blackberries ripen, full and sweet,

to make for me an August treat.
Their goodness calls me, “Come and dine!”,
so up I climb to make them mine.
 
Safe underneath the ash and beech,
the berries grow within my reach.
I pluck them quickly for my pail
and eat my fill along the trail.
 
Blackberries splendid, good and free,
are like the graces given me.
God’s fruit is for the picking ones,
and with it, love and mercy comes.
 
 
O taste and see that the LORD is good:
blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Psalm 34:8

 

 

BLACKBERRIES

Picking blackberries can be therapeutic on an August evening in Veery Glade. Frozen away, they will make nice additions to an oven-baked cobbler during winter and remind us of the goodness of summer.

Psalm 34, written by the psalmist David, begins with extolling the LORD. Our Creator wishes for us to draw near to Him. Praying praise focuses our attention on God who can deliver us from our problems.

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

Psalm 34: 1-2

As we collect fruit in our pails, we can be thankful for God’s goodness to us. We have tasted and seen and continue to, like King David. He blessed the LORD at all times. There’s nothing wrong with praising God for His goodness. There’s nothing wrong with meditating on His meekness.

I sought the LORD, and he heard me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4

I trust you know we have a hearing God. And we, made in His image, are additional proof that God has ears. David knew this and this amazing truth still holds today. To not pray is to say God can’t hear. That’s exactly where the devil wants people. He is against creation and any idea of a fellowship with Creator God, who made Adam and Eve and strolled around the Garden of Eden talking with them.

They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Psalm 34:5-7

King David could attest to the fact that a lot can happen from seeking the LORD. And I think many of us can too, dear fellow forest dwellers. Saved out of all troubles? Yeah. An angel tenting nearby? Yeah. We know God is that powerful. We are God’s creation, made in His image with eyes, ears, nose and taste buds. He wants us to experience His presence in our lives and how He can deliver us from troubles.

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

Psalm 34:10

When David tended his father’s sheep, he knew about predators like lions. Seek God in prayer. In the end, all who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. All who fear the LORD will not have any want. The meek will inherit the earth just like God’s Word says.

What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?  Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

Psalm 34: 12-16    (and 1 Peter 3: 10-12)

Some people live for today only with no love of eternal treasure, satisfying temporal needs and wants with temporal treasures. But what is it to gain worldly goods but lose one’s soul and miss out on the lasting goodness God has planned for those who choose life? Taste and see that the LORD is good rings true, again and again. And the warning in the above verse rings true as well. God will cut off the remembrance of evil doers from the earth.

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart;
and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous:
but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Psalm 34:18-19

While picking the fruit God gives, isn’t it good to remember He can deliver us from all our afflictions? Band aids for scratches from berry briars can be purchased at the local drug store, but there isn’t anything there for a broken heart. But God can heal the broken-hearted. Jesus saves the one with a contrite spirit. Even with all the thickets we have to crawl through, the Holy Spirit is there to guide us. God is the Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him through His Son, Jesus. Through thick and thin, keep living meekly for the reward He gives. 

In meekness, pray in the blackberry patch. Ask God where the good path is and then walk in it. Pick the good practice and stick to it. Commit to prayer. Pick the best berries and drop them in your container. Jesus Christ said to follow Him. If we’re used to going our own way, it will be difficult to follow at first. Thankfully, the Savior is patient. And every morning is another opportunity to live the victorious life. His mercies are new every morning.

King David, who must have known of meekness, ends Psalm 34 with a promise from God:

The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants:
and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
Psalm 34:22

Our Creator creates.
Our Redeemer redeems.
Our Rewarder rewards.

And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.

Psalm 45:4

Taste and see. God’s fruit is for the picking ones of meekness.